2022 Honda CR-V Review
The 2022 Honda CR-V crossover continues its long reign of being atop the segment with outstanding safety tech and great handling.
2022 Honda CR-V – automobiles.honda.com | Shop 2022 Honda CR-V on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2022 Honda CR-V?
This generation, the fifth of the CR-V is about to be updated from the ground up. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that there aren’t any updates over the 2021 model year. The only notable adjustment from last year is that all Touring trim models get all-wheel-drive as a standard feature now.
The Breakdown
Peppy performance
Endlessly practical storage space
Classy interior
Not the best at any one thing
Drab styling
LX trim is too spartan
Can we have a modern infotainment system, please?
2022 CR-V Specs
- 190 horsepower from base engine
- 179 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 39.2 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 75.8 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- 1,500 lb towing capacity
- Most trims have SiriusXM and Bluetooth
- Outstanding safety scores and tech
- Industry standard warranty
2022 Honda CR-V Powertrain
Considering that the 2022 Honda CR-V can only sprint to 60 in a leisurely 8.2-seconds, we’re pretty smitten with the powertrain. That might be even more shocking when we tell you that it’s getting power to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Despite what might seem like marks against it on paper, the CR-V proves that it’s performance that really counts. Regardless of the situation, this small crossover seems eager and affable.
If there’s a magic bullet it’s got to be the outstanding chassis and suspension setup. The CR-V is no Superleggera in the world of small SUVs, but it feels like it. It changes direction quickly, accurately, and without drama. It provides fast feedback through both the pedals and the steering wheel too. And at the limit, it communicates the inevitable failure of its tries to keep a grip with clear linear indicators.
Around town, it’s that playful nature that makes the CR-V a standout. In the skinny lanes of a cityscape, it’s a fun and practical means of conveyance. If there’s anything to complain about inside the cabin, it’s the road noise seeping in from the outside world. It isn’t wildly loud, but it’s there. The engine isn’t particularly melodious either.
Towing & Payload
The 2022 Honda CR-V isn’t really the vehicle for folks who need to tow or haul heavier loads, as it maxes out at just 1,500 pounds. Still, that’s more than enough for weekend toys like jet skis or ATVs. With that in mind, we think the CR-V hits a nice balance between larger vehicles that can tow more but are harder to drive and smaller crossovers that can’t haul at all.
2022 Honda CR-V Fuel Economy & MPG
In the city, the 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid with AWD is a real winner with up to 40 mpg according to the EPA. Sadly, once on the highway that drops to just 35 mpg. The non-hybrid powered CR-V models get 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway in front-wheel-drive form. All-wheel-drive non-hybrids drop to 27 mpg and 32 mpg, respectively. For those counting at home, the hybrid model is managing a highway rating that’s just a single mile above the FWD version of the gas-powered CR-V and three better than the AWD gas burner.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Dr. Who fans will love how the 2022 Honda CR-V feels like it’s bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside. The front seats are especially impressive when it comes to legroom and shoulder room. Visibility is very good too, with clear sightlines in every direction. Drivers and front passengers benefit from a very ergonomic layout that serves to provide comfort on longer trips.
Overall, the ride inside is a comfortable one. Honda has always built good climate control systems, and the one in the 2022 CR-V is no different. It reacts fast and effectively whether heating or cooling. We also love the materials in the cabin. No, they’re not as good as semi-luxury brands like Genesis or Mazda, but they’re a cut above many others that cost more.
Finally, let’s talk about storage. Almost everywhere we look in the 2022 Honda CR-V, there’s a cubby or a full-on storage space. It’s impressive to recognize how much space is contained in the door pockets, the center console, and that’s not including the capacious boot. Open the rear hatch and you’ll find almost 40 cubic feet of cargo space.
Entertainment & Technology
So, the 2022 Honda CR-V does have a gap in its armor, and it’s absolutely the infotainment system. The base trim level LX features a 5-inch screen. It has Bluetooth connectivity and not much more going for it. Thankfully, an upgrade in the form of a 7-inch touchscreen is standard on all other trim levels. Even so, it isn’t as good as we’d hoped. It’s still a bit smaller than rivals and it’s much slower too.
The sound system gets better as you opt for more speakers. The base four-speaker setup isn’t too bad though. Again, the LX trim is just too spartan, but above that, things are generally good. At the top of the range is a nine-speaker setup that is clearer for the audiophiles amongst us.
Safety Features
Advanced safety features like adaptive cruise, forward collision mitigation, and blind-spot monitoring are all standard across the 2022 Honda CR-V range. They’re arguably the biggest upside in any technology conversation involving the CR-V.
Supporting all that advanced safety tech in the CR-V is a very solid foundation that received a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA. While the IIHS has yet to test the CR-V as of this writing, they did test the structurally identical 2021 year model. It was awarded a “Top Safety Pick” accolade in testing.
2022 Honda CR-V Trims & Pricing
LX – $25,750
The base 2022 Honda CR-V LX might be the perfect car for a college kid as it’s light on the features but heavy on the safety tech and practicality. It gets automatic high beams, adaptive cruise, lane-keeping assist, and forward-collision mitigation all standard. It also gets 17-inch wheels, automatic climate control, a 5-inch display for the radio, and four speakers. All-wheel drive is a $1,500 option on all trim levels but the Touring (where it’s standard).
Special Edition – $26,950
The Special Edition or SE might be the bargain of the bunch as it adds heated front seats, remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 7-inch infotainment system. That system includes integrated Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity as well as SiriusXM satellite radio, and a total of six speakers.
EX – $28,260
The EX and all higher trims have access to the 203-horsepower hybrid powertrain. All hybrid CR-V’s push power to all four wheels. Aside from very small differences, the trims are identical between both gas-powered and hybrid versions. The EX adds 18-inch wheels, a sunroof, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, blind-spot monitoring, and tinted rear windows to the SE trim level.
EX-L – $30,850
At the EX-L level things start to get pseudo-luxurious. Leather upholstery wraps all seating surfaces, the front passenger seat is now power-adjustable, rear liftgate is power-operated, and a total of eight speakers are installed.
Touring – $35,550
Go for the Touring trim and you’ll get LED headlights, roof rails, nine total speakers, a wireless device charging station, and all-wheel-drive regardless of powertrain choice.
Warranties
The 2022 Honda CR-V comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. No complimentary maintenance is offered. Honda would do well to put a little more effort into matching its rivals, like Hyundai who are clearly a better value in this department.
What we think
2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid – hondanews.com | Shop 2022 Honda CR-V on Carsforsale.com
The 2022 Honda CR-V isn’t the best in the segment at any one thing, but it’s so bloody good at most aspects of being a dependable crossover that it’s impossible to overlook for those in the market. We eagerly await what we expect to be the sixth generation coming before this time next year.
